Today I’m ultra excited to welcome Shannon Delany,
author of the soon to be released,
13 to Life – A Werewolf’s Tale.
Here’s the awesome cover!
DON’T
‘CHA
JUST
LOOOVE
IT?!?
So, if you couldn’t tell, I’m very happy to have Shannon visiting MuseTracks today. My 14yr old daughter is just as excited. She’s waiting for the June 22nd release date – and I’m not exaggerating - with GREAT anticipation. She read a portion on Textnovel and has been chomping at the bit for more ever since. I was extremely lucky to meet Shannon at Textnovel. She’s been an invaluable support to many other writers (myself included), and a stand up friend besides. I’ll post her links below. There are a bunch. Shannon is a busy gal.
Welcome Shannon!
ME: Where did the idea for 13 to Life come from?
SD: 13 to Life started with just that phrase and the fact I was noticing tons of vampire books but very little in the werewolf realm (of course that was 2008).
ME: You wrote 13 to Life as a cellphone novel at Textnovel, (BTW folks, 13 to Life WON the first ever cellphone novel contest in the western world). Was it difficult to switch over and write 13 to Life into a full length novel?
SD: Yup. I’m a “Cyber Cinderella,” getting my big break from a cellphone novel contest. Switching formats was actually wonderful. Writing in a cellphone novel format is very much about establishing an economy of language. You stay very focused on the heart of the story and don’t necessarily get into great detail or lots of subplotting. So when I made the switch it was like I’d been holding my breath and, suddenly, I was able to breathe.
ME: Huge congratulations on both the win and the three book deal with St. Martin’s Press btw. How has the impending release of 13 to Life, and the writing of the next two novels changed your everyday life?
SD: Thanks, Candi! I <3 St. Martin’s Press. Things have gotten a lot more hectic since getting the contract for the series, but I had been balancing family, farm and freelancing for about a year before all this, so overall my schedule hasn’t changed too much. I do think more about how I present myself and my brain’s always contemplating marketing strategies, but other than that it’s as frantic here as it was normally. 
ME: What’s one piece of advice you’d share with any aspiring author about the road to publication?
SD: Understand it takes time.You need perseverance to get your contract, but then you also need patience to flourish in those months between contract and the time the book’s finally on the shelves.
ME: Tell us a bit about 13 to Life.
SD: It’s a story about teenagers and the amazing and often difficult transformations they’re dealing with. There’s romance and betrayal, friendship and heartache and loads of danger. And (no big secret) there are werewolves. As much as it’s a paranormal story, it’s also a story about people and their struggles. I want readers to read it in whatever way best appeals to them: zip through it for the fun and excitement or ponder it for the questions it raises through subplots and symbolism. It can be a fun, fast read or it can be used to open discussions about a variety of things.
ME: Tell us a little about Shannon.
SD: Wow. I don’t know what to tell. I write because I feel I have to. Characters and worlds sort of bubble up inside my brain and encourage me (or pester me, like Pietr did) to tell their stories. When I’m not writing, I’m reading or doing art, working on the farm or hanging out with family and friends. (I told you she was busy!)
Thanks for coming today! We wish you the best with the release of 13 to Life!
Here’s where you can find Shannon:
www.ShannonDelany.com
www.13toLife.us/blog
www.Twitter.com/Shannon_Delany
www.13toLifeSeries.com (where readers and fans can tour Junction online starting in June)
Facebook Fanpage: http://tinyurl.com/FB13toLifeFans
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/autor/show/3200239.Shannon_Delany
Shannon can also be found on www.Librarything.com, www.Jacketflap.com, www.AuthorsDen.com and the Facebook Fan link is above as well. She’ll be attending BEA in NYC with other members of the Class of 2k10 at the end of this month and she’ll be attending RWA in Orlando at the end of July. Between both those 13 to Life will be released (June 22) and Shannon’s blog tour and massive book giveaway will happen (watch her blog for details).
13 to Life can be preordered at all major online book retailers and Shannon encourages readers to express their opinions with their spending–so order from the store you respect the most.
SHANNON IS GIVING AWAY A SIGNED MINI-POSTER TO TWO LUCKY COMMENTERS!
So comment!
